students walk along campus pathways

Our History

From the seeds of 2007 to the present

2007 — A Commitment to Sustainability

Former Penn President Amy Gutmann was the first Ivy League President to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Dr. Gutmann served as Penn's President from 2004 to Spring of 2022.

Over 600 colleges and universities have joined former President Gutmann in this commitment, and these institutions are leading the way in addressing the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase research and education at places of higher learning in order to curb the earth's rapidly changing climate. As part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, in September 2008, Penn's greenhouse gas emissions were made publicly available on the ACUPCC website.

To learn more about the ACUPCC and view Penn's greenhouse gas emissions data, please visit the Second Nature website.

Archive Documents

2014 University of Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan 2.0

cover

Executive Summary
The Executive Summary is a 5-page document that summarizes the Climate Action Plan 2.0.

Download the 2014 CAP 2.0 Executive Summary (PDF)

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Complete Document
This document is a 45-page document in its entirety.

Download the 2014 Climate Action Plan 2.0 (PDF)

2011 University of Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan Progress Report

Executive Summary

Complete Document

The 2011 University of Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan Progress Report was submitted to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment on January 13, 2012. The report is an overview of the implementation to date of the University's Climate Action Plan, submitted in fulfillment of ACUPCC requirements.

Download the entire 2011 Climate Action Plan Progress Report (PDF)

2009 University of Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary is a 17-page document that summarizes the 2009 Climate Action Plan.

Download the 2009 Executive Summary (PDF)

Complete climate action plan document

Complete Document

The 2009 Climate Action Plan is a 120-page document in its entirety and was submitted to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment on September 15, 2009.

Download the entire 2009 Climate Action Plan (PDF)